Security tension in Embu County is on the rise with the ongoing clash between rival groups contending over ownership of the disputed 44, 000-acre Mwea Settlement Scheme.
There have been looming clashes in the area threatening peace with Ngome Council of Elders from the Mbeere Community threatening to invade and forcefully take over the scheme they claim to be their ancestral.
Reacting to the threats, Embu County Governor Cecily Mutitu Mbarire called upon Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to intervene in the ongoing clashes, noting that residents are awaiting a bombshell.
The governor alleged that as a county, they do not have the required capacity to settle the land clashes since it is a legal process. According to the governor, land ownership is a serious security issue.
Mbarire also directed the residents to stop the planned invasion scheduled for Thursday, October 17, with immediate effect.
"This is a grave matter and I will need leaders to sit and discuss so that we can take this matter to the National Government, especially the Ministry of Interior under Kithure Kindiki because it is a security matter", Mbarire stated on Monday while speaking to the locals.
The governor called upon CS Kindiki to offer a solution that may work for the two groups to foster unity and peace. Speaking while visiting the site after disputes left buildings vandalized and demolished on Monday, Mbarire directed the residents, elders, and leaders to steer away from social media incitement, inflammatory remarks, and statements.
She also has called upon the clashing groups to give dialogue a chance to solve the dispute.
Ngome Council of Elders had revealed that they would mobilize young people to join in their takeover bid on October 17. This announcement irked communities in the occupation who were said be already arming themselves to thwart the move.
Reacting to the announcement on Sunday, Makima Catholic Parish administrator in Embu County, Father Nicholas Makau, warned that if the situation is not calmed down, the county would witness a repeat of the 2018 clashes.
Embu County Commissioner Jack Obuo, on the other hand, assured that security will be heightened in the area as they await the way forward following the dialogue. He also revealed that they are continuing to preach peace.
